I had a visceral reaction while reading Bill Howey's book, "The Actor's Menu" in his discussion on, "types" and the benefits of knowing what "type" one portrays on the stage. I related my experience to Andy and would like to share it with my fellow classmates.
A lifetime ago I longed to be an ingenue; being perceived as a simple, innocent girl playing every role from Juliet to Julie Jordan was my dream. The University I attended was auditioning "Barefoot in the Park" I wanted the role of Cory so badly I could taste it; I worked my butt off for the read, my audition went very smoothly I felt I had the role nailed and the thoughts of rehearsal and opening night danced through my mind..the director who would become one of my many mentors, called me and asked if he could meet with me ( naturally I felt to tell me I got the role) as soon as I saw his face I heard a loud thump echo throughout the room; it was the sound of my heart falling to the floor; I knew I didn't get the role and my opening night visons faded in a second. He held my hands and looked into my eyes, I could see the admiration he had for me on his face and how difficult this was for him to express.."Pamela you just aren't an ingenue, you aren't what the "norm" is for "young and pretty" , the primary color of the "type", you will always be the "character actor" the pastels inbetween, and you may not feel it now but playing the character will open up so many other roles that being an ingenue would not allow" He asked me to play the role of the Telephone Installer in the production ( the smallest role...but there are no small roles, right?) Well, from that performance I was asked to join the Summer Rep company at Carengie-Mellon who were in desparate need for young character actors for a new production a graduate student was developing called "Godspell"..and I have never played an ingenue and I owe it all to a very talented and visionary director ( no longer with us) who out of love took a difficult yet loving step.